Mary Jane Nirdlinger

Mary Jane Nirdlinger is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in urban planning, policy development, and local government management. Currently serving as Deputy Town Manager for the Town of Chapel Hill, NC, since June 2009, Mary Jane has held various roles including Assistant Town Manager and Executive Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainability. Notable achievements include leading the Chapel Hill 2020 Comprehensive Plan and designing the town's internal strategic planning efforts. In addition to local government work, Mary Jane is a freelance plain language writer and editor, providing services primarily for local government and academia, and also serves as an instructor at the UNC School of Government. Educational credentials include a Master of Fine Arts from Vermont College of Fine Arts, a Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor's in International Relations from American University.